© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Astros pitcher Framber Valdez denies intentionally drilling his catcher, Oscar Salazar. On Tuesday night, Valdez gave up a grand slam home run vs the New York Yankees after a mix-up with Salazar.
There’s speculation that Astros pitcher Framber Valdez purposely crossed up his catcher Cesar Salazar and hit him with this pitch after Salazar told him to step off before allowing a grand slam pic.twitter.com/ds3c9MzQV6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 3, 2025
On the pitch sequence after the grand slam, Valdez and Salazar got crossed up, and Salazar got drilled with a 98 mph pitch to his chestplate.
I don’t want to be that guy but this looked somewhat intentional pic.twitter.com/3CXe2L8cBD
— SleeperAstros (@SleeperAstros) September 3, 2025
This had to be on purpose, any other pitcher would immediately go check on their catcher after crossing them up with a fastball yet Framber didn’t even care and acted completely unsurprised
This guy is insane https://t.co/5uBi1jTu1M
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) September 3, 2025
After the game, Valdez apologized to Salazar, stating he had not drilled him intentionally.
Both Framber Valdez and César Salazar were pulled into the manager’s office after tonight’s game. Afterward, Valdez said through an interpreter that he apologized to Salazar, but said the cross-up was not intentional. More to come.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 3, 2025
Valdez eventually spoke to the media to give his side of the story.
“It was a pitch I wanted to throw. I called for that pitch. I wasn’t able to locate it. Then afterwards, we just got crossed up. Afterwards, I told him I was sorry.”